Opening Day

One who doesn’t create fear in another nor is fearful of anyone is the one who is spiritually wise – The 13th salok of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib.

A hall full of young faces listened with rapt attention to the shabad of the ninth Master being sung by their friends at the first morning Divan of Kaur and Singh Academy.

On Sunday September 8th the Academy opened its doors for the first time to over 30 families hopeful for a step to towards better Sikhi education.

Kaur and Singh Academy, established with the vision to provide world class education to next generation of Sikhs is a dream of a group Sikh parents, who came together because they believe that this is what our community deserves and that it is possible to achieve the same when we work together as one group. As the guest of honor for the morning, Inni Kaur, said – When vision and action are combined it makes anything possible.

The Academy, on it’s opening day had 70 enrolled students and over 25 volunteer teachers. In addition to there are over 10 non-teaching volunteers to oversee the smooth running of the school. The morning will start each Sunday with a 30 minute Divaan conducted by the students themselves. The idea is for the children to have an education in Sikhi practice along with Sikhi academics. Divaan is followed by a 30-minute Gurbani class, which precedes Boli and Virsa classes of 45 minutes each.

“It was nice to sit at a table and chair to learn.” “I could see the teacher properly.”

These are some of the comments by the young ones. High up on the priority list was to be able to create a conducive learning environment so that students give it has much credibility as they do their Monday to Friday classes. Children are now seated in regular classrooms, at tables and chairs facing a classroom size marker board. Each teaching group has at least two teachers to enable better learning.

As parents we are extremely mindful of getting the best possible resource for our child’s academic and recreational development. We leave no stone unturned to ensure that they look their best, eat healthy and are in the most happening social environment.

So, why not Sikhi education? That which develops our inner character and hones our identity in the world should not be left behind.